Check out what to see in Naples in a week: the complete guide in seven days through arts, folklore, good food and a vibrant atmosphere. Let's go!
Are you looking for your next exciting trip? We strongly recommend you to visit Naples in a week! The city of the sun is a fantastic destination to explore anytime through the year, perfect also for quick gataways in one day or in a weekend.
But a whole week in Naples...is truly the best choice to gift yourself with an unforgettable vacation and fully immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of this wonderful city, perhaps even taking a tour of its rich surroundings.
Founded by the Cumaeans in the 7th century B.C., it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Characterised by its spectacular location on the Gulf of Naples, it is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and places that we'll discover in this seven days itinerary, including the majestic Vesuvius and the Capri, Ischia and Procida islands. So, you're on? Let's find out what to see in Naples in a week!
What to see in Naples in a week: a seven days trip
Spending a week holiday in Naples is a pleasure, but it feels so even more doing it with us! To make the most of your trip to Naples, remember to purchase the Naples Pass, the only city card that allows you to access to exclusive discounts, best attractions and public transport in a convenient and practical way.
To best organize your seven days in Naples, check out our guides on the best places where to stay, where to have breakfast and where to eat in the city. We have also created for you a complete guide on the best things to do in Naples for a truly top travel experience!
So here we are, ready to start our itinerary for a week in Naples, an intense journey full of beautiful adventures day by day!
Check out the Naples Pass❯
Day 1: the itinerary in Naples in a week begins from the Historic Centre
Start your journey to Naples in a week by exploring the historic centre of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995, perfect to visit in the morning. Stroll through the old town's picturesque streets, discover its treasures, and lose yourself in the most hidden alleyways around Spaccanapoli. If you want, check out where to stay in Naples historic centre.
Take a leisurely stroll through the city's chaotic and colourful streets and pay a visit to the Cathedral of Naples, where the blood of San Gennaro, the city's patron saint, is kept in a precious cruet. Discover the treasure of San Gennaro and enter the Royal Treasury Chapel, one of the finest examples of Baroque art in the city.
In the early afternoon, stroll around the alleys and stop for a good pizza a portafoglio, cross Via San Biagio dei Librai and reach the splendid Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, one of the city's most beautiful squares, where you can pay a visit to the Basilica of the same name, first of Gothic-Angevin and then Baroque architecture, rich in frescoes, paintings and stucco decorations.
From there you can quickly reach the Sansevero Chapel, a perfect attraction to visit in the afternoon, famous for its incredible late Baroque sculptures: especially the Veiled Christ stands out, an absolute masterpiece from the mid 18th century.
On the evening of your first day in Naples, after having admired the best of the historic center and experienced the best of the city like a true Neapolitan, you can end with a bang by treating yourself with the true and fabulous Neapolitan pizza!
Day 2: Underground Naples, Piazza Plebiscito, Royal Palace and Castel dell'Ovo
On your second day on your week trip to Naples, you could dedicate the early morning to explore again some of the streets of the historic centre and then venture for a visit to Underground Naples. Here's our guide on how to get there.
We are talking about a labyrinth of underground passages and tunnels that tell the secret history of the city. A history that has its roots in Roman antiquity, when volcanic tuff, easily excavated, was used to build the foundations of the city. Over the centuries, however, these cavities were expanded and exploited for a variety of purposes, becoming over time shelters, cisterns for collecting water or oil, places of worship, and lazarettos during wars or epidemics.
Once you have visited this place that will leave you speechless, at midday and for all the afternoon continue exploring the centre of Naples. Our next stage is the wonderful Piazza del Plebiscito, one of the largest squares in Italy, where you can admire the extraordinary Basilica of San Francesco da Paola and find out the elegance and the power of the city's ancient Royal Palace, a phenomenal and iconic place in the very rich and noble history of the city of the sun.
If you like castles, continue visiting the centre of Naples and discover the majestic Maschio Angioino, not far from Piazza Plebiscito and its wonderful attractions. At sunset, we recommend taking a nice walk around the city's picturesque seafront and visiting the sublime Castel dell'Ovo, an ancient castle overlooking the sea, rich in legends and fascinating stories. You will not regret, what a view over the sea and the Vesuvius! You will be able to spend the rest of the evening walking around the city centre, the perfect time and place to experience Naples bite by bite enjoying its incredible street food!
Day 3: Capodimonte Museum, Archaeological Museum and Castel Sant'Elmo
When it comes to art and culture in Naples, you are truly spoilt for choice. This third day of your trip to Naples in a week you can dedicate entirely to the cultural attractions of the city. In the morning we recommend to visit Capodimonte Museum, one of Italy's largest art galleries, with a vast collection of works of art by famous artists such as Caravaggio, Tiziano and Raffaello.
The Capodimonte Museum not only has a unique collection but is also immersed in the greenery of the Real Bosco di Capodimonte, a true green lung of the city. Moreover, from the hill on which it is located you can admire beautiful views of the city of Naples, Vesuvius and the Islands.
Around mid-day, continue your cultural itinerary by visiting the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (NAMN), an essential stage for an immersion in the history of the ancient world. This museum hosts fantastic collections, among the largest and richest in archaeological finds especially from ancient Rome and ancient Greece, where you can admire extraordinarily preserved works of art and artifacts, beautiful statues and fascinating mosaics, in particular that of the battle of Issus which depicts Alexander the Great against Darius III of Persia. The building itself housing the museum is a masterpiece of art and architecture, full of well-kept rooms and characterized by a solemn atmosphere.
In the early afternoon, after lunch, we suggest you treat yourself to a break in complete serenity and beauty by visiting the Monumental Complex of Santa Chiara. This magnificent location, a masterpiece of architecture and spirituality, is surrounded by majestic cloisters adorned with lively majolica. Take some time to stroll through the majestic Clarisse cloister, with its finely decorated columns and colorful tiles, and through the gardens filled with shady paths and Mediterranean-style fountains. Yep, Naples is a city truly full of incredible views and panoramas even in lesser-known places!
Speaking of panoramas, we must not forget the Vomero district, easily reached in a few funicular stops (included in the Naples Pass) that will take you to a lively place, full of shopping streets, greenery and also culture, perfect to spend all the afternoon until evening. Here, especially at sunset, you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the city from Castel Sant'Elmo, a true must-see attraction not to be missed on your vacation to Naples in a week. You can spend the rest of the evening at Vomero, exploring the fantastic Neapolitan nightlife in the most chic district!
Day 4: a day-trip to Vesuvius, between hiking, archaeology and fresh local products
Here we are on the fourth day, halfway through the travel itinerary to Naples in one week. After having already visited many attractions in the city, it's time to discover its enchanting surroundings...what's better than the city's symbolic mountain?
Our suggestion is to dedicate a whole day to Vesuvius, from morning to evening, visiting the natural wonders of the area and above all the suggestive archaeological sites of Naples. If you are a lover of ancient history, you cannot help but be fascinated by the discovery of places such as Pompeii and Herculaneum, both overwhelmed by the violent eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.
If you love hiking and the weather conditions are fine, you could climb Vesuvius to enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Bay of Naples and admire the volcano's crater. You can reach the top of the volcano by following the signs of the hiking routes, but be careful, we suggest always relying on experts to tackle the route safely.
Before venturing on this day trip to the volcano of Naples, we recommend that you read our guide to Vesuvius with all the information and useful tips.
Your trip to Vesuvius will be a fantastic experience, we are sure of it. But why not make it even more special? In a beautiful landscape, dominated by the typical wild nature that characterizes volcanoes, by the evocative archaeological sites of the area such as Pompeii and by an incredible panorama over Naples, we suggest you treat yourself to a delicious lunch on the slopes of the volcano based on fresh local products and with wine tasting included!
Day 5: back in the city for a day between Mergellina, Posillipo and Chiaia
Fifth day of your week in Naples, and after having explored Vesuvius and its cultural and landscape riches you return to the city, dedicating this day to the discovery of three truly evocative areas of the city: Mergellina, Posillipo and Chiaia.
In the morning explore the Mergellina area, walking along the city's charming seafront in the sunlight, following the string of bars and small seaside chalets. Don't miss the nearby Parco Vergiliano in Piedigrotta, a location full of fantastic views to photograph, considered the traditional burial place of the poet Virgil with a monument dedicated to him. Among the other attractions of the park, they stand out the funerary monument dedicated to Leopardi and the Crypta Neapolitana, an ancient gallery of Roman origin.
In the afternoon you can move from the Mergellina area and reach Posillipo, one of the most evocative districts of Naples which stands on a hill from where you can enjoy a panoramic view of the sea and the city's bay. There is a postcard-perfect balcony on the so-called '13 slopes', an extremely suggestive setting where ancient and modern merge with the beauty of the city.
While exploring the area, we suggest you visit the sumptuous Villa Volpicelli, a beautiful fort that stands out on the romantic Posillipo coast. And a short distance away you can also reach the Virgiliano Park (we know, it's easy to get confused with the park in Mergellina!) where you can admire the small island of Nisida and the entire Campi Flegrei from above. Simply irresistible!
At the end of the day, returning towards the center of Naples following the seafront, you can spend the evening in the Chiaia district and have fun enjoying the city nightlife. We suggest you especially pop into Vico Belledonne, the perfect place for a fantastic happy hour in one of the many clubs and bars offering music and aperitifs. Here you can also visit Villa Comunale of Naples.
Day 6: Spanish Quarters, neapolitanity and shopping in the centre of the city
What to see in Naples in a week? The Spanish Quarters certainly cannot be missed, the beating heart of Neapolitan life, an authentic immersion in the culture of the so-called neapolitanity. The Spanish Quarters of Naples are famous for their liveliness and authenticity, for their narrow and winding streets dotted with traditional shops and above all for the lively atmosphere that can be felt in this area of the city. Here you can also find the famous mural dedicated to Diego Armando Maradona, one of the tourist attractions most loved by football fans and a true destination for a secular pilgrimage, halfway between sacred and profane.
After spending the first part of the morning discovering the Spanish Quarters, in the middle of the day it's time to visit another little gem of Naples. On the border with Montesanto and near Via Toledo, explore the Pignasecca Market, a lovely place in the heart of Naples where you will find fresh produce, fish, cheeses and more. The market develops along Via Pignasecca, a narrow cobbled street, and offers an explosion of colours, sounds and flavors that capture the essence of Neapolitan daily life.
The unique atmosphere of the Pignasecca Market is not limited only to the offer of food products. In fact, antiques, vintage clothes and handicrafts are also sold here, creating a fascinating mix of tradition and modernity. Furthermore, the friendliness of the vendors helps create a welcoming atmosphere, where visitors can interact with residents and immerse themselves in the authenticity of the market.
Remember that Naples is a city to be experienced, so give yourself time to walk without a specific destination, discover hidden corners and interact with the local inhabitants. In the afternoon we suggest you wander around the city centre, visiting the shopping streets among branded fashion shops, boutiques and the unique elegance of this city.
In addition to the aforementioned Via Toledo, absolutely do not miss the majestic Galleria Umberto I, an imposing architectural work that extends for almost 150 meters in the heart of Naples with its characteristic dome over 50 meters high: an incredible place that certainly deserves to be visited during your week in Naples!
If you haven't already done so, not far away from the exit of the Gallery visit the famous Gran Caffè Gambrinus to treat yourself to a snack with authentic espresso coffee and above all with one of the city's traditional desserts, such as babà and Neapolitan sfogliatella.
We suggest you spend the evening in the centre discovering the night time face of Naples, letting yourself be enchanted by the beauty of the city illuminated by a different light than the sun. If you are hungry and craving for pizza, while exploring the city you may decide to try one of the best pizzerias in Naples.
Day 7: last stage in Naples in a week, a trip to Ischia, Capri and Procida
Here we are, the last day of your holiday in Naples in a week has arrived. How to conclude this beautiful seven days itinerary in the best way? Well, after having visited the whole city, you can dedicate a whole day to exploring one of the splendid islands of the gulf: we are talking about Ischia, Capri and Procida.
Ischia is the largest, most populous and entertaining island, famous for its thermal waters, its beaches and its natural beauty. Surrounded by a crystalline sea, the island offers breathtaking landscapes characterized by green hills and picturesque glimpses of small villages overlooking the sea bordering the sky. This island offers well-being and relaxation to visitors, immersed in a unique Mediterranean setting embellished with the authentic flavors of the local cuisine and the warm welcome of the local population.
Capri is equally known for its breathtaking landscapes and the lively atmosphere that pervades its streets. Characterized by cliffs overlooking the sea and suggestive caves, the island enchants visitors with its amazing panorama and unique attractions, such as the gardens of Augustus and the famous Grotta Azzurra, a natural cavity illuminated by a magical light. A one-of-a-kind place that will make you fall in love with the sea of the city of Naples.
Even the smallest of the three, Procida, can treat you to a day of unspoilt nature and a picturesque colourful village. The island captures the hearts of tourists with its authentic charm and the vibrant colors that paint the facades of its houses, also conveying an intimate and evocative atmosphere. Its authenticity also emerges in the local gastronomy, rich in traditional flavors that delight the palate.
The Gulf of Naples is full of wonders and the Mediterranean Sea lights up deep blue in summer, perfect for a swim and a boat ride among these little wonders. In short, you are spoilt for choice: here we go!
